Mainly clear skies. Low 38F. Winds light and variable..
Mainly clear skies. Low 38F. Winds light and variable.
Updated: October 10, 2025 @ 11:30 pm
THE EXCITEMENT of Hollywood is returning to North Conway. Well, at least on the big screen.
BarnZ’s Cinema is set to take over the Mountain Valley Cinema 7, which closed a year ago. An early November opening is expected.
The state saw a slew of movie theaters close in recent years, but BarnZ’s owner Tim Barnes has been negotiating with the landlords of the Mountain Valley Mall for more than year to be able to expand his brand. BarnZ’s has locations in Barrington, Meredith and Lincoln.
“The response has been very overwhelming,” Barnes said. “I think the community is very excited to have a theater back.”
BarnZ’s started in 2007 when Barnes purchased Spinelli Cinema in Meredith. He expanded to Barrington in 2009, also a Spinelli location. He took over the Lincoln Cinema 4 in 2013.
The improvements to the North Conway Cinema include fresh paint and some equipment upgrades.
“We are upgrading the sound a little bit to Dolby 5.1,” Barnes said. “Most of the changes will be subtle.”
He described the seating as “high-back rockers.” The company does have more fancy recliners in Barrington and Meredith.
The busiest time in Meredith is in the summer because of the swell in population from both those with second homes and tourists.
“When people have time off, that’s when they go to the movies,” he said. “On vacation they have a little extra time or their children are out of school.”
No date is set for the reopening, but Barnes is aiming for early November, which is traditionally a strong month for sales. Some of the big releases next month include “Wicked: For Good” and “Zootopia 2.”
The movie industry has yet to return to its pre-pandemic levels, partly because 2019 was a record year, Barnes said. Some got used to the comforts of home.
“We do love shared experiences,” Barnes said. “So, when you are still at home and laugh at a funny scene in a movie it’s funny, but not the same as everybody around you in the theater laughing at the same time. I think that’s an important part of why people still enjoy going to the movies. It gives them a sense of escapism.”
The Martingale Wharf Restaurant and Bar in Portsmouth will close on Nov. 3 as Michael Timothy’s Dining Group will take over from Portsmouth Hospitality, a division of McNabb Properties.
All holiday season bookings and private events will be honored, according to a news release.
Martingale will reopen under a new name and concept in spring 2026.
The news comes as Michael Timothy’s announced Buckley’s Cafe & Market, which is run by the group, will be taking over the Hearth Market inside the unique Brick Market building in Portsmouth, which is owned by McNabb.
The Rosa Restaurant will also transfer to Michael Timothy on Dec. 31. The transactions will finalize McNabb’s restaurant ownership divestiture to “refocus on the company’s core strength” as a real estate developer.
“With the impending transition of Buckley’s Café & Market, this became the right time — and certainly the right partner — to step away from restaurant operations and refocus our team’s talents,” Mark McNabb, president of McNabb Properties, said in a statement.
A new shop with a community feel has opened in Peterborough.
Hearth Magick held its grand opening in early October. The new shop offers “a vibrant mix of metaphysical retail, creative workshops, and healing services — all designed to welcome seekers of all ages and backgrounds,” according to a news release.
The place was opened by the founder of Gaia’s Blessing, Jeni Archer, and represents renewed vision to create space for people to come together for learning, connection and magic under one roof.
Hearth Magick and Gaia’s Blessing, now under the ownership of AJ Spicer, are working in harmony to “bookend the town with love and support,” Archer said in the release.
The retail section of the store includes stones, an interactive herb bar, candles, and a potion station. The gathering space includes a place to drink tea, work on a community puzzle, make crafts, play games, or read a book.
After five years, the Keene International Market, a specialty grocery store, will close this December. The store announced the closing on its social media channels.
“This wasn’t an easy choice, but economic pressures this year have made it necessary. We want to thank each and every one of you who has supported our family business over the years. You’ve made our dream of sharing authentic international foods with our community a reality,” a post on Facebook reads.
The store was known for providing international food products with the goal to “create shared culinary experiences for the community.”
Have an idea for New Business? Email reporter Jonathan Phelps at jphelps@unionleader.com.
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